While there are leggings specifically designed for water aerobics the vast majority of leggings are made of stretchy materials that are suitable for water activities, they are not designed for use as swimwear. Leggings can become heavy when wet and may cause drag in the water, making swimming more difficult. Additionally, some leggings may not hold up well to chlorine or saltwater, causing the fabric to fade or deteriorate.
Leggings are not just for wearing as a fashion statement or as comfortable clothing… Leggings can actually be used for active sports like swimming. Tight-fitting clothing is always going to be a problem when it comes to water-related sports… You don’t want your clothes to get in the way and you don’t want to get tangled up with them while doing something active.
For this reason….. it’s very important that whatever clothes you wear when doing an activity like swimming are made of materials that will keep water out and allow you to move freely.
Leggings work great for this because they are tight-fitting and made of a material that repels water… They also come in a variety of colors….. styles….. patterns….. and designs so you can find ones that match your own personal taste.
If you’re wondering whether or not leggings are suitable for swimming then the answer is yes….. they certainly are! You can wear them under your swimsuit or all by themselves depending on how much coverage you want from your garment.
Can You Use Leggings for Swimming?
Did you know that there are leggings specifically designed for swimming? This type closely resembles a bathing suit bottom… These are often made with a nylon/spandex blend….. which makes them more resistant to water and more comfortable against the skin than regular nylon or spandex.
These are what I would recommend for most water aerobics classes or other water-related activities….. such as lap swimming… They’re great for hot weather too! The best thing about these is that they come in multiple lengths – from extra short (think booty shorts)….. all the way up to Capri length.
The leggings should be made from a material that is ideal for swimming… You can wear leggings for swimming….. but you will have to make sure you are wearing the right kind of leggings.
The best type of leggings for swimming is designed for that exact purpose… These leggings are made with a water-resistant material and will fully cover your legs when wet… They can be purchased from many different retailers….. including some department stores….. sporting goods stores….. and online retailers.
Can You Wear Normal Leggings for Swimming?
The first thing to consider when buying leggings for swimming is the material that it is made from… Some types of legging material will sink in water while others will float.
There is a difference between the leggings you wear as clothing and the ones you put on to swim… Normal leggings that you wear to the gym or about towe are not designed for swimming.
Many people consider that the leggings they put on to swim are the same as the ones they wear when they go out… This is completely wrong… Why? Because if you will wear your normal leggings during swimming….. you will end up with many problems like itching and rashes.
Normal leggings will quickly get weighed down with water and feel very heavy and uncomfortable… So if you want to wear leggings for swimming you have to buy leggings that are specifically designed to do so.
What Leggings Can You Swim In?
If you’re swimming in a chlorinated pool….. chlorine can react with the synthetic material in your leggings and cause discoloration and other damage… The composition of your leggings might make it difficult to determine if they’re chlorine resistant since many types of leggings are man-made blends.
Scodi leggings are made for swimming….. great for the ocean….. and very durable… You won’t have to worry about them losing their color or shape in the water because of these leggings’ amazing properties.
Leggings not designed for swimming are made of fabrics that can absorb water and become heavy when wet….. which can be uncomfortable and potentially dangerous as you swim.
Furthermore….. Scodi Leggings are made from chemical-free fabric that doesn’t absorb water; it dries quickly; it is lightweight; and it is strong against rot….. mildew….. and saltwater damage… The fabric won’t lose its shape even if you wear your surfing pants in the surf.
- Soft….. stretchy….. lightweight fabric with plenty of room for movement
- Comfortable high waist to prevent tan lines while still being modest enough to wear on a street or the beach
- Lightweight….. quick-drying material will keep you cool and comfortable while you surf….. swim or layout at the beach
- The waistband is elastic and can expand up to 4″ which means they will fit most body shapes and sizes without pinching or gapping at your waist; as well as give you some wiggle room if you are between sizes or prefer a slightly looser fit (recommend buying your normal size)
Do Swim Leggings Keep You Warm?
Swim leggings are thin….. stretchy pants that are often worn under a wetsuit… They are made from either spandex or nylon and come in both solid and colorful prints.
What function do these serve? Are they necessary for cold-water swimming?
The answer depends on your body….. the temperature of the water….. and your ability to swim in cold water… If you’re a hot-natured person who sweats easily….. then wearing these tights can help you retain some of your body heat… If you find that you have trouble staying warm during your swims….. then wearing leggings may be a good idea for you.
However….. if you don’t struggle with this issue and prefer to swim with nothing on below the waist….. then swim tights aren’t necessary — most people swim faster without them anyway.
There is one other option: wearing a wetsuit instead of swim tights… Since wetsuits are thicker than tights — usually three millimeters thick or more — they will keep in more body heat than the thin nylon or spandex material of the leggings alone.
In summary….. a lot of people think that all leggings are great for swimming… Yeah….. no… If you have a gym or regular leggings and are planning to go for a dip in the water….. it is highly likely that you will have to do a little bit of a wardrobe change when that happens as your normal leggings are not good enough in this regard.
Swim leggings are far better than regular ones in terms of their ability to prevent water from getting into them so if you are someone who happens to be looking for good leggings for swimming then you should definitely go for swim leggings and not your gym or regular ones.
The reason behind wearing special leggings for swimming should be pretty obvious: these leggings are essentially made of swimsuits….. so they are made out of things that are comfortable to wear in the water….. as well as chlorine resistant.
You may also be interested in… Do Leggings Make You Look Fatter? and Do Leggings Go with Dresses?
Louise Wilson is an accomplished author, passionate textile historian, and renowned fashion enthusiast with a rich background in the world of apparel.
Graduating with honors in Fashion Design, Louise further expanded her skills and knowledge by completing a master’s degree in Textile History. Her academic pursuits have led her to explore the fashion capitals of the world, including Milan, Paris, and New York, enriching her insights into the global world of fashion.
As an author, Louise’s passion for fashion has found its way into her writings, where she intricately weaves narratives of style, design, and fashion history.